Tape holder



A. DI TOMASSO TAPE HOLDER Filed Nov, .22. 1925 E 00 27%," fizz ZZZ; ofib'fomasso rwaya Patented June 23, 1925.

1 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE- ATTILIO DI ToMAsso, or nAs'rlBosToN, ivrnssncnu-sn'r'rs'.

j TAPE HOLDER.

Application filed November 22, 1923. Serial No. 676 ,2 77.

or line in fixedposition while measurements or markings are being made.

A typical example of the invention is disclosed in the accompanying drawings in which r Fig. 1 is a plan view of the device showing the end of a tape indicated in broken lines attached thereto;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device showing it in position for measuring, the article being measured being shown in section;

Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is a side elevation showing the device in another position of use with a chalk line attached thereto, the article being measured being shown in section.

Referring to is an end elevation of the device,

the drawlngs the numeral 1 indicates the substantially flat body portion of the device which may be formed from sheet material if desired although prefer ably consisting of a casting or forging. The body portion has upstanding flanges 2 and 3 along its margins. These flanges are slightly convergent and are provided with channels A and 5 respectively in their opposed faces. These channels are adapted to engage and grip a tapering ring 7 such as is commonly furnished upon the endof measuring tape. 'A pin 8 projects upwardly from the body portion and provides additional retaining means for the ring.

A lug 9 projects from the under side of the body portion and has a toothed surface 10 adapted to engage the end 11 of a board, metal bar or other element being measured. The toothed surface 10 is disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the body portion, said plane being also substantially tangent to that element 7 of such ring most remote from the point of attachment of the ring to the tape. This element 7 is that which commonly constitutes the zero point of the tape and with the parts thus arranged said element lies flush with the surface 11 of the article to be measured. The pin 8 is so disposed that when engaging the inner surface of the ring the latter again occupies the position relative to the surface 10 just described.

A spur 12 projects laterally from the edge of the body portion and this spur is provided with a substantially flat surface 12 which also lies in the plane of the surface 10. This spur may be driven into the article to --be measured and may thus be used alternatively with the lug 9 for retaining the holder in desired position.

Usually measuring tapes are provided with rings 7 tapered slightly from their outer free extremities toward their point of attachment to the tape and when such a ring is employed it may be inserted between the channeled flanges 2 and 3 which by reason of their convergence grip the ring securely for holding it in position. When the ring is of other form the pin 8 forms a convenient means for retaining it in engagement with the holder.

Along the outer edge of flange?) is provided a channel let and in the face of the body portion 1 there is an aperture 15. If a line or cord 16 is to be used, such as a chalk line, one end may be passed up through aperture '15 and the main part of the line brought up around the body portion 1 and looped over flange 3, see Fig. l. This loop will fit into channels 5 and 1d and upon being put under tension, will be securely retained therein. If now the spur 12 is driven into a board 11 or the like, the

outer channel 14 will hold the cord firmly against the face of the board, and assist in to slip while in use.

. I'claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising a body portion, a retaining lug de pendingfrom the lower side thereof, and a retainin it against any possible tendency;

pair of oppositely disposed converging elements projecting above the plane of the up per surface of the body portion and constructed and arranged removably to grip the end ring of a measuring tape' between them. I

2. A tape holder comprising a body portion having a substantially flat upper surface, and spaced flanges projecting upwardly from saidsurface, said flanges converging toward each other and having chans V tmaeeo nels in their opposed faces co'iistriiotd and stmctbdi and arfiangetlfl to racema chalk arranged ieinov'ably to engage and grip the lin of the like, said body portion having 10 terminal ring of a measuring tape Between fipitiif to retain the end of said line, and them, and attaching mean-s oafi-iel by the attaching-9pm projlectiang'from said body body portion. portion.

3. A tape holder attachment comprising Sighd by me at Boston, Massachusetts, a body portion provided With. a flange havthis 17th day ofi No omber 1923. ing channels in opposite sids thi-of (ion ATTILIO DI TOMASSO 

